A Vanilla Pinch (Hansel and Gretel)
The oldest Musgrove girls were closest to their eldest brother, who in turn doted on them; it was common for the three to walk the path between Uppercross and Kellynch together. Henrietta and Louisa grew in appreciation for Miss Anne Elliot nearly as much as Charles, smiling to hear him drop compliments and court favours. They left for school certain of good news.
Their eventual disappointment was whispered at night away from all other ears. He seemed happy enough with the scraps of Elliot polish found in Miss Mary. It seemed Anne, though still their friend, flew too high for catching.
Tidings (Sleeping Beauty)
It had been so long ago, and yet it felt like only yesterday, since Anne had dared to speak the name "Wentworth" aloud. It was a name she carried alive like an old story in her heart, but had hardly ever dared acknowledge to the world at large since the day he departed from her life.
Learning that he would come to her home, where she had been confined for so long, evoked sensations she could barely contain in company. It took a stroll about the garden to soothe her nerves and calm her fluttering feelings.
"I shall not be frightened," she counseled herself again and again after seeing him anew, even as her heart misgave her. She had grown older and haggard, while he seemed more vigorous and successful than ever. Such a disparity the years had wrought between them! It would take a prince indeed to scale the walls of time.
Flush (Rumpelstiltskin)
Bath was proving as beneficial as predicted. Elizabeth, of course, always looked her best. But one morning Sir Walter Elliot was pleased to note Mrs. Clay's improvement.
"But you must not settle for mere health; more can and should be done. There are creams and remedies for any number of blemishes. I will have a list drawn up."
"You are too kind, sir."
"Nonsense," he said on cutting her another slice of cake. "If you were a mere guest, of course it might be exceptional, but after so long with us you must consider yourself of the family party."
She offered a demure bow of the head while daintily consuming as much of the sideboard as could be brought to her plate.
For Hurts and Pangs a Peony Find (Rapunzel)
Screams followed Louisa into the void. Yet she awoke to an overloud quiet, a vague condemnation settling over her as the memory of recent events rose like a tide. Her distress grew upon hearing Mary's shrieks, Charles's exclamations, and assorted sharp mutters all about her. She felt a little girl again, caught messing her mother's garden, not a brave lady at all. But she could not even mourn disappointing Captain Wentworth; she could only focus on finding relief from her painful misery.
Mrs. Harville was a comfort, even if she lacked the florid tenderness Louisa craved from her own family: her's was a bracing brine meant to scour any wound. "Don't fret, Miss Louisa, it was only a bit of hair lost, and much gained by the surgeon's knife. Why, I once had my whole head shaved from ship's lice, me and the purser's wife, though we bore it better than some sailors who lost their queues."
Louisa smiled but could not laugh. She was not yet fond of considering any suffering but her own.
Wife (Thumbelina)
They were at cards when Mrs. Hayter exclaimed, "Why I have quite forgot I meant to go over the accounts! But do not fret Henrietta, dear Charles will keep you company." She winked as she passed her eldest son, whose cheeks turned the same shade as the hearts in his hand.
It had been difficult playing with only three, as Mr. Hayter was in the fields and the other children out walking; the cousins left off the pretence of a game consisting only of themselves. Their conversation soon turned to their united joy at Louisa's recovery. "But," the lady said, "it has been pleasant to be near home again, even if my parents continue with her."
"It has been more than a pleasure. It has been true happiness." His flush deepened but his speech did not waver. "I confess my relief at her fate is partially selfish. I was afraid of speaking before, but I think my words can not offend now."
"Oh no, not at all!" Henrietta answered before he had quite formed the question. Though once captivated by a sailor, she had grown inured to that species. They were good and noble creatures, to be sure, but no captain's bluff manners could compare with the consideration Charles showed her; no prize money was equal to the treasure of his regard.
Saturday’s Child Works Hard for His Living (Little Red Riding Hood)
It was a tiresome business to recover from an injury. Papa said it would teach Charles to mind better in the future. Perhaps that was why Aunt Louisa was hurt as well, but her's had a better result: bringing Bob Harville and his fascinating tales of the sea to Uppercross.
When Charles learned stalking rats was a midshipman's primary duty he apprenticed himself to the older boy at once. It was rum luck they were discovered in the enterprise by an aunt little older than themselves, shrieking and bringing the wrath of every other female down upon them.
"That's why Captain Wentworth don't like girls aboard ship," Bob pronounced afterward, a sentiment Charles agreed with wholeheartedly.
Pride (Snow White)
"The late Mrs. William Elliot was a mean, coarse woman who could only have entrapped my cousin by offering him ready money, a common temptation for young men. I am sure he has got that out of his system now, and will act responsibly as soon as mourning may be put off." Here Miss Elliot glanced at her companion with expectation, prompting Mrs. Clay to agree by rote:
"I am sure! He must realize you are quite the fairest lady in Bath at this time."
"At any time."
"Oh of course, that is what I meant." Whether or not the latter statement was true, it satisfied Miss Elliot enough to continue in speculations regarding the future, leaving her dear friend free to contemplate a few ideas of her own.
Oxeye Topaz (Toads and Diamonds)
Mrs. Sophia Croft was pleased to have her brother safely back under her roof. Perhaps now Frederick might relax enough to admit-—if only to himself— what was wrong.
"Why, it is the Elliots," Mrs. Croft observed while touring the pump room one morning. It was in fact only Miss Elliot and her companion, more's the pity. But Frederick's gaze was arrested by a third, grandly attired woman.
"Is that not Lady Russell?" she asked. "I understand she is a friend of the family, and yet they barely acknowledged her. Should she not deserve more of their consideration?"
It was unlike Frederick to mince words, but his face was set like stone in a manner so serious it forbade mentioning. She nearly missed it when he at last spoke:
"Tis not for me to say."
Glowing Entreaty (Puss in Boots)
The siren's call of Anne's heartfelt conversation with Harville prompted Frederick Wentworth to pen her as penitent and earnest a proposal as time permitted.
But how the devil was he to deliver said letter?
He could not leave it to chance, his sister, or even his former lieutenant, nor flaunt his feelings before them all by giving it into her hands. While Captain Wentworth might navigate between Scylla and Charybdis at sea, he was out of his depth in a parlour's perilous shoals.
When inspiration hit he practically pushed Harville out of the room. "I have forgot something," he stupidly exclaimed on the front step, and dashed back inside to behold the woman who had once again boarded the fortress of his heart.
He could only speak with his eyes, pushing the envelope to her as he grabbed his gloves, then run out again to await his fate with impatient pacing.
Charity Never Faileth (Six Swans)
To the great joy of the King, the children were brought back. He and the Queen, with their six brothers, lived many years in happiness and peace.
The wedding was a far cry from what Lady Russell had once pictured. The Musgroves looked a trifle unrefined, and yet bore more obvious good will than anyone else of the Elliot party. The naval contingent were a novelty in their dress uniforms, while the groom's own epaulettes had no rival but his bright eyes.
Then there was Anne, radiant as a bride should be, if far older than expected. So like her mother. Lady Russell clutched her handkerchief without using it: she would not distress Anne by weeping.
"Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder." It was providential that a match broken so long ago would be made anew. A new future beckoned: Anne happy and content, in her own home, with a family brought together by the vows exchanged today.
"Amen," Lady Russell repeated at the prayer's close.
And finis.
